"Do you think it actually opens something?" Alexander ask, eyes locked on the bronze key in Gwen's hands.

Off in the distance birds chip away. While clouds block the sun. As they lounge on red patio furniture. In his homes backyard. The owners off doing whatever calls to them.

"Maybe or it was just a odd necklace she liked," Gwen comments slipping the key back into her pocket. A thousand thoughts plaguing her restless mind.

"What's wrong?"

Gwen gives in to the need to confide in someone. Without guarding her words or holding back.

"I came back to town positive that it take a month to get what I need and leave with father, mother, Henry and Elizabeth. It was all supposed to be so simple."

"What changed?"

"People I haven't seen in years and new ones are worming into my heart while I try to keep them out."

"Isn't good to have friends?"

Yes, friends can be the anchor or shelter to weather storms. Yet they can also be a distraction or the storm itself.

Gwen wasn't sure if Damon,Stefan,Trent,Elena and everyone were anchors or a distraction. Keeping her from being reckless. Or keeping her too calm. Allowing family to slip through her fingers, like water.

Does it really make a difference anymore? Maybe.

Her next thought slips from her lips, "They won't want to be my friends much longer, I crossed a line," Gwen's eyes stare out into the distance, "People get mad when you work with the enemy."

"Stop working with the enemy then."

Gwen smiles at Alexander and his naive way at looking at things, "Things get more complicated when you grow up. In other news I haven't given up on helping you, just have to think."

"You will figure it out I know it," Blind trust and faith fill his voice, "Maybe read some history books."

Too bad they don't make history books of magic. A blue book with black veins flashes in her mind. Excitement rushes into Gwen. But they do make ones with spells and curses.

She beams at Alexander, "That's it! You're a genius kid," Alexander giggles as Gwen leaps up, "See you around."

Alexander laugh still echoes in her ears. As she walks to her car. Sending a text to Trent to meet at the Grill. And to bring his shadow grimoire.

Gwen pockets her phone, freezing when her eyes land on a large tall brown envelope. Taped under the windshield wipers. Gwen surveys the area seeing nothing, but a few joggers passing by. With caution Gwen grabs the envelope. Ripping the top open and pulling out glossy photos.

Fear stabbing her heart as Gwen flips through each one. Eyes widening at each familiar face. From Damon,Trent,Stefan,Elena,Caroline,Bonnie and even Jeremy.

A chill digs into her bones. Turning a picture over to find the Karayan symbol on the back. A clear threat and warning. It isn't just her life they are willing to take.

Searing heat penetrates her skin in waves. Gwen snaps her head up. Locking eyes with a middle-aged man. He has a receding hairline, black hair and a lanky body. Dressed in a collared grey shirt and black slacks.

It's his dark unforgiving eyes that scream run, run far away. He watches Gwen still as a statue. Part of Gwen wants to confront him. Except going off of the power radiating off him. He could kill her within seconds.

Quickly Gwen shoves the pictures into her purse. Gets in to her car and drives off. Only feeling some relief when she enters the Grills parking lot. Making her way inside the warm busy restaurant and bar. Scanning the faces for Trent cut comes up empty handed.

Instead spotting Damon, Alaric and the women who was practically naked last night. Today her dirty blonde hair is pulled into a ponytail. A brown jacket covers a pink blouse. Jeans tucked into black boots. All huddled together at a table. Figuring Trent isn't far behind Gwen heads over to their table.

Addressing Damon and Alaric, "What are you two up too?"

"Making plans to kill Elijah," Gwen blinks at Damon in surprise. Her eyes snap to the female besides him, "Don't worry about Andie she won't tell anyone, will you."

Andie laughs before quickly capturing Damon's lips with hers. Gwen fights back the urge to vomit. While an unpleasant feeling gnaws at her heart. Accompanied by the urge to strangle Andie and Damon.

Its, jealousy, no no....I can't be. I'm over him, right.

Alaric's voice stops her mental argument, "Damon complied her and I think I'm going to be sick."

Right there with you.

"Gwen!"

Gwen peers over her shoulder at Trent's voice. Finding him at the bar waving. Wearing a plain green shirt and blue jeans.

She turns back to the trio and address them, "Good luck with failing."

Alaric smirks well Damon scoffs, "Well that kind of attitude sure is helpful."

"I'm being realistic Damon. Elijah is one of the first vampires around. Sorry but the odds are one hundred percent not in your corner."

Gwen turns on her heels and joins Trent. He greets her with a wide smile. His shadow grimoire laying on the bar. Trent Lets Gwen settle on a stool without a word.

"Can I take a look?" Gwen asks.

Trent slides it over. Opening it she immediately start scanning pages. Not lifting her eyes when he asks a question, "What are you looking for?"

Gwen stops in the middle, "This, instructions on helping Souls, aka ghost pass on."

"Shouldn't you know that by heart. Basics 101."

"Well guess Michael decided to skip that lesson."

"I can help, after all done it before," her eyes switch to his face, "Just need to find a witch."

"I know one."

"Great you take care of that I'll get the herbs and then meet at wherever you want."

Gwen grab his hand giving it a tight squeeze, "Thanks, you really are a great friend."

"It's not a problem. I will always be here for you," Trent stares at her.

Chocolate eyes full of love without restraint. For a moment Gwen wishes she could get lost in those eyes. For her heart to leap and pulse to race. To have a simpler life with normal worries.

Trent may not steal my breath away, but at least he is safe. I can have safe after I bring them back.

Trent moves his hand from Gwen's. Reaching into his jacket pocket, "Been digging around and the only thing I could find was this picture off some conspiracy sight. Claiming he's a founder of a group that hunts supernatural beings."

Trent hands her a paper. On it is a printed portrait, "Goes on about the group being responsible for assassinations and what not."

Gwen stares at the young stern round face. Thin lips, groomed eyebrows and wide nose. A face Gwen has seen before. In a painting of gloomy serious frozen faces staring back at her.

The young women and her brother both share big doe eyes. The son and father their wide noses. While both children share thin lips.

"But he is a Jordan. His sister is one of the ghost haunting me," Gwen breaks her silence, "Their family portrait was in that album we found in the tomb," she hands it back, "Someone used the damnation curse on her."

"Sounds unpleasant," Both of them swirl around to Alaric smiling face. Alaric addresses Trent, "Hi names Alaric."

Trent responds, "Names Trent."

"What's up?" Gwen asks Alaric.

"Giving you a heads up that there will be a little get together over dinner at the boarding house."

"Sounds like Damon's idea."

"Yup. So you planning on joining in?"

Trent speaks before she can "Can she bring a date?"

Despite his playful tone. Gwen knows it wouldn't be a good idea. Not up for any arguing about it she excuses herself, "Unfortunately don't have time, but good luck."

Gwen heads for the door not sparing a glance at Damon and Andie. Back at the boarding house. In her room Gwen digs out the thick album. Stopping at the first few pages.

Staring at the same man who Trent just showed her, but looking younger. No date is written down leaving her to assume this was years before she was born.

Maybe even before mother.

In the end Gwen is left confused about who's threatening her now. With a sigh Gwen puts the album away. She leaves to pay a visit to her family's grave. Silently torn between hoping Damon succeeds and fails. Knowing it is safer to give Elijah some kind of warning instead of suffrage his wrath if Damon fails.

After placing fresh roses on each of their Graves. Gwen sits on a nearby bench. Letting the wind dance across her skin and through her hair. Mind drowning in memories. Feeling close instead of far away from them.

Gwen let's her walls fall along with tears. Choosing to welcome the loneliness. Instead of locking it all away. I miss you, she calls to them.

Time passing and the sky darkening. Until it becomes too much.Quickly Gwen locks it all away again. And moves to kiss each headstone before leaving.

Damon appears as soon as Gwen steps inside, "It's done," A mix of disappointment and relief fills her, "Had a bump but Elijah is officially daggered and locked away in the basement."

"That's good."

"You don't sound too pleased."

I don't know what I am, "I just have a lot on my mind."

"Poor poor Baby," Gwen whips around at Katherine's voice to find her. Smiling with her arms crossed across her chest, "Surprise."

"What are you doing here?" Damon doesn't bother to hide his irritation, "Weren't you stuck in a the tomb?"

"Elijah broke the seal days ago but compelled me to stay," Katherine shrugs, "I knew that if I begged you not to kill Elijah, that's exactly what you'd do. Little known fact...Originals can compel vampires. But as soon as they die, the compulsion wears off."

"Of course you knew but didn't share until now," Damon says.

"Why are you still here?" Gwen asks.

"I meant what I said to Damon. I'm going to help. I know what Klaus looks like. None of you do."

"Wonderful," Gwen states.

Completely aggravated Gwen enters the kitchen. Grabbing flour,sugar,chocolate chips and everything else. For baking some yummy cookies. Something that has become her self soothing tool. Over a couple years now. Gwen is halfway into mixing the dough when Damon walks in.

A question springing from his lips, "Baking?"

"It's soothing," Gwen pauses, "So Katherine is staying."

"For now."

They stand there awkward. Eyes darting down then back up. Maybe her mind has finally snapped. From all the craziness and stress. That has Gwen throwing a chunk of cookie dough at him. Gwen grins at his shocked doughy face. Damon picks up the bag of flower and dumps it over her head.

And just like that they enter a food war. The Cookie dough and ingredients, landing on the floor, counters and them just as equally. Chasing each other around the island laughing. Damon's arm encircles her waist. While his free hand smears peanut butter across her cheek.

Cramping from laughing and running Gwen slides to the ground. Her back leaning against the island's wood frame. Damon slides down next to her. Shoulder to shoulder they sit there. Heads turned to each other. Focused on nothing but each other. Invisible walls disappearing.

Gwen is drowning in his ice blue eyes. In the unrestrained desire in them. Her pulse quickens, heart filling with need. Skin pleasantly tingling as Damon traces her jaw.

Breath almost stopping as he leans closer. Finger gently moving to her neck. Gwen's eyes flutter close as His lips graze hers. Her heart almost bursting from desire, need and joy. Until a cough shatters it all.

Just as quickly as it happened the invisible walls come back. Damon stands while Gwen stays sitting watching the two brothers. Stefan with a questioning look on his face, parts his lips. Only to stand there open mouth at the two eggs dripping down his shirt.

"You looked too clean brother," Damon says.

Gwen fights back laughter, only to let it lose as the two engage in their own small food fight. All hostility between them gone. And in this moment Gwen isn't thinking about what she lost. Instead focusing on what she still has.